On the eve of an impassioned Senate debate on a bill to make it easier for the terminally ill to hasten the end of their lives, the phones att he Statehouse haven't stopped ringing.

"I have no idea. I really don't," said Sergeant at Arms Francis Brooks, asked to estimate the number of calls flowing into his switchboard Monday.

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It's been like this for week.

Supporters of the 'Death with Dignity' legislation see their best chance ever to advance the bill. They're running television advertising urging Vermonters to call their senators and tell them how to vote.

Opponents -- including Right to Life and Catholic groups -- realize the Senate is the best chance to defeat the measure and they, too, are running advertising urging voters to weigh in.

The Senate has set aside two days for the debate which Sen. John Campbell, the top Democrat, says is likely to be closely divided.

Campbell strongly opposes the legislation he calls "physician-assisted suicide." It would allow a Vermont doctor to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to a terminally ill person who two physicians judge to be of sound mind and also in their last six months of life.

But Campbell agreed to allow the kind of full debate he blocked last year.

Vermont's bill is patterned after an Oregon statute which has been on the books for nearly two decades. Still, Campbell sees a high risk of unintended consequences in Vermont, despite efforts to ensure plenty of safeguards.

"All you need is a doctor to say you've got 6 months to live," Campbell said. "I know one person who was told that six years ago and he's still with us."

In the heavily Democratic chamber, the proposal seems to cross party and religious lines. Most members appeared to have made up their minds long ago. Heading into the weekend three or four senators were undecided and they will likely determine the outcome.

Sen. Bob Hartwell, a Bennington County Democrat, is one of those on the fence.

"I've decided to treat this the way some treated civil unions and marriage equality," Hartwell said. "They made a moral decision that was expensive to some politically but they had the courage to do it and I think I'll handle it in the same fashion."

It is possible Republican Lt. Gov Phil Scott will cast a rare tie-breaking vote on the issue. Scott sees a 50-50 chance that will happen this week.

"All I know is it'll be very close," Campbell said Monday.

If the Senate approves the legislation, Statehouse leaders see a strong likelihood the House will follow suit. Gov. Peter Shumlin has said he'll sign the bill into law.

So it's up to the Senate, where debate begins Tuesday morning. Look for full coverage on wptz.com.